wild n wonderful wanderer
@wildnwonderfulwanderer
Self-built E450 · 700W solar · $0 lodging · works remote
Build
Work
Roam Free
Follow along
Instagram Reels
@wildnwonderfulwanderer · hidden USA stops, daily rig life
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YouTube Shorts
@wildnwonderfulwanderer · same reels, longer recaps coming
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Trip Notes & Build Blog
The full numbers: what each stop cost, what broke, what I'd change
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RV gear I actually run
WEN GN400i 4000W Inverter Generator
Quiet backup power for when the solar runs short.
Amazon · I run this
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Class A Customs 27-Gal Black Water Tank
The waste holding tank in my build.
Amazon · I run this
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Camco Rhino 28-Gal RV Tote Tank
Wheels the waste to the dump when you're parked long.
Amazon · I run this
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5-Gang RV Rocker Switch Panel (+ voltmeter & USB)
Runs my 12V switches and shows battery voltage at a glance.
Amazon · I run this
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Monroe Magnum RV Shock Absorber
The heavy-duty shocks I put under the chassis.
Amazon · I run this
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GASPRO 15" RV Propane Hose
The propane line feeding the rig.
Amazon · I run this
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SHURFLO RV Fresh Water Pump Strainer
Keeps grit out of the water pump.
Amazon · I run this
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Dura Faucet RV Shower Faucet Valve
The shower valve in my rig.
Amazon · I run this
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Camco RV Water Bandit
Connects my hose to any spigot — even stripped threads.
Amazon · I run this
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Partsam LED RV/Trailer Tail Lights
Stop / turn / tail lights on the back.
Amazon · I run this
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More gear from my rig
ALOVECO 12V LED Dimmable Ceiling Lights
The dimmable 4000K cabin lights in my rig.
Amazon · I run this
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BlueFire 12V LED Puck Lights (4-pack)
Slim recessed accent lights over the galley.
Amazon · I run this
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12V Touch Dimmer + Remote
Dims the LED lighting from the couch.
Amazon · I run this
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Battery Disconnect / Kill Switch
Master cut-off for the house battery bank.
Amazon · I run this
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ECO-WORTHY 280Ah LiFePO4 Battery (BT)
The lithium house bank that runs everything.
Amazon · I run this
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WF-8955PEC 55A RV Power Converter
Shore-power charger/converter for the 12V system.
Amazon · I run this
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Kohree 30ft Solar Extension Cable
10AWG runs from the roof panels to the controller.
Amazon · I run this
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12V RV Fresh Water Pump (4.0 GPM)
On-demand 50PSI fresh-water pump.
Amazon · I run this
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MAXXAIR Maxxfan Deluxe Vent Fan
Moves air even in the rain — best upgrade I made.
Amazon · I run this
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14" RV Roof Vent Fan (rain sensor)
Reversible roof fan that closes itself when it rains.
Amazon · I run this
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Rechargeable RV / Tent Clip Fan
Battery clip fan for still nights off-grid.
Amazon · I run this
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RV Tank Heater Pads (3-pack)
Thermostat pads that keep the tanks from freezing.
Amazon · I run this
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Self-Regulating Water-Line Heat Tape
18ft of freeze protection on the water lines.
Amazon · I run this
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BEEST Silicone RV Roof Coating
Sealed + reflective coating over the roof.
Amazon · I run this
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Kohree Self-Leveling RV Roof Sealant
Self-leveling lap sealant for the roof seams.
Amazon · I run this
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LONTAN 22" Heavy-Duty Drawer Slides
Full-extension slides on the build's drawers.
Amazon · I run this
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Chassis & suspension
A-Premium Front Steering Damper
Front steering damper on the E-450 chassis.
Amazon · I run this
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Rear Sway Bar Link
Rear sway-bar link for the E-450.
Amazon · I run this
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MOOG K80015 Stabilizer Bar Link
MOOG stabilizer bar link up front.
Amazon · I run this
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MOOG ES3203L Tie Rod End
Steering tie-rod end (E-350/450).
Amazon · I run this
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Dorman Radius Arm Bracket
Driver-side radius arm bracket.
Amazon · I run this
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8-Lug Wheel Simulator Lug Nuts
Lug nuts for the 17" 8-lug wheel simulators.
Amazon · I run this
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Engine & 7.3L diesel
Gates Premium Engine Water Pump
Gates water pump on the 7.3L.
Amazon · I run this
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Bosch Workshop Engine Air Filter
Bosch air filter (E-350/450/550).
Amazon · I run this
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Dorman Glow Plug / Injector Harness
Glow-plug & injector harness repair connector.
Amazon · I run this
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7.3L Powerstroke Up-Pipe Kit
Bellowed exhaust up-pipe kit (99-03 7.3L).
Amazon · I run this
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Diesel Fuel Tank Pick-Up Screen
Fuel pick-up sock/strainer (7.3L).
Amazon · I run this
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40k Transmission Oil Cooler Kit
Heavy-duty trans oil cooler (40k GVW).
Amazon · I run this
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Doc's Diesel Filter Kit (7.3L)
Fuel + oil filter kit for the 7.3L.
Amazon · I run this
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Furnace Igniter Board w/ Fan Control
FAN50PLUS igniter board for the RV furnace.
Amazon · I run this
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Power & wiring
14 AWG Wire (90ft, 6 colors)
Silicone hookup wire for the 12V build.
Amazon · I run this
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2/0 AWG Battery Lugs (10pc)
Battery-cable ring terminals.
Amazon · I run this
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Cable Lug Crimping Tool Kit
Crimper + copper lugs for battery cables.
Amazon · I run this
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DC Circuit Breaker 1000V 63A (Solar)
DC breaker/isolator for the solar PV.
Amazon · I run this
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LM2596S DC-DC Buck Converters (4pc)
Step-down regulators for 12V to 5V.
Amazon · I run this
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H7 LED Fog Bulbs 6500K
LED fog bulbs up front.
Amazon · I run this
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120W USB-C Car Charger (4-port)
Fast USB-C charging at the dash.
Amazon · I run this
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Pre-Wired USB + 12V Socket
Nilight QC3.0 USB + lighter socket.
Amazon · I run this
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Cab & appliances
EUHOMY 12V Portable Fridge/Freezer
37qt 12V fridge-freezer in the galley.
Amazon · I run this
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ColorBond Leather/Vinyl Refinisher
The vinyl/plastic refinisher paint I used.
Amazon · I run this
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Where I sleep free
Harvest Hosts
Free overnight parking at wineries, farms & breweries with a membership — my #1 free-lodging hack. Referral link: I'm compensated if you join; you get 20% off.
affiliate link
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iOverlander App
How I find free dispersed camping spots — community-sourced, GPS-pinned
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Solar & electrical
Renogy Solar Panels
700W total on my roof — running the whole rig off-grid. Panel model: see starter kit
affiliate link
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Renogy MPPT Controller
Manages the 700W array → 280Ah bank. The brain of the solar system.
affiliate link
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Victron DC-DC Charger
Charges the house bank from the alternator while driving — essential for LiFePO4
affiliate link
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Batteries
280Ah LiFePO4 Battery Bank
3.4 kWh at 12V — runs the whole rig without shore power. Brand: confirm in starter kit
affiliate link
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Connectivity
Visible Wireless — $45/mo Unlimited
My data plan + mobile hotspot. $45/mo all-in. No contracts, no throttle traps.
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Cell Signal Booster
Turns 1 bar to 4 in remote spots — the single upgrade that changed remote work on the road
affiliate link
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RV supplies
Camping World
Hoses, fittings, dump adapters, leveling blocks — the nuts-and-bolts stuff that doesn't make reels
affiliate link
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RV gear I actually use
LED Headlight Upgrade
Plug-and-play LED conversion for the E450 — massive visibility improvement over stock halogens
affiliate link
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MPPT Solar Charge Controller
The brain of the 700W solar array — keeps the LiFePO4 bank topped off efficiently
affiliate link
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12V Compressor Fridge
Runs direct off the battery bank — no propane, no condensation, stays cold off-grid for days
affiliate link
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RV Stove / Cooktop
Salvaged from the Prowler donor and still running — the full cook setup on the road
affiliate link
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RV Sink Faucet
Low-profile 12V-compatible faucet — fits the galley without robbing headroom
affiliate link
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Diesel Air Heater
Sips diesel, puts out serious heat — the reason cold-weather boondocking is comfortable
affiliate link
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Auxiliary Transmission Cooler
Non-negotiable on a loaded E450 in mountain passes — keeps temps sane on long climbs
affiliate link
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Tinted Truck Bed-Liner Spray
Used on the exterior panels for a matte finish that hides dings and sheds road grime
affiliate link
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Apps I actually use on the road
Links go live once John's referral codes are added.
RV LIFE — Trip Wizard
The routing app that knows bridge heights and weight limits. My #1 navigation tool in the rig.
affiliate link
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Harvest Hosts
5,000+ wineries, farms & breweries — free overnight parking with a membership. My #1 $0-lodging hack; you get 20% off.
affiliate link
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The Dyrt PRO
Offline campground maps — works where cell doesn't. Finds free dispersed spots all over the west.
affiliate link
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GasBuddy
I check it before every fill-up. On a 7.3L diesel this app pays for itself in a single tank.
affiliate link
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Try Amazon Prime — free trial
Free 30-day trial. I use it for Prime delivery to RV parks and Prime Video on rain days.
affiliate link
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The build
Full E450 Build Journal
2000 Ford E450, 7.3L diesel — bought for $3k, built for $15k all-in. Every mistake documented.
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Download the $15k Build Cost Sheet
Free — every line item by subsystem. Solar, electrical, framing, water, the whole thing.
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The RV Gear Master List
Our exact off-grid build, sorted clean: power core + Summer (stay cool) + Winter (stay warm).
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Some links above are affiliate links — if you buy through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only link gear I actually run in this rig. The $15k build cost and 700W solar numbers are from my own build; your costs will vary.